Do you, or someone you know, live with a health condition that impacts your daily life? A six-week workshop for achieving a healthier way of living begins September 8 for people living with the pain of chronic conditions. 

The Living Well with Chronic Conditions program was developed and tested at Stanford University and is designed to complement and enhance medical treatment and disease management of chronic illnesses such as arthritis, diabetes, asthma, heart disease, cancer, or some other chronic health condition.

Through the series of classes, participants will learn what they can do to feel better and manage their condition more effectively. The Living Well with Chronic Conditions class is a workshop given once a week over a six-week period. Classes last 2 ½ hours each, are fun and interactive. Each participant receives a copy of the book, Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions..

Who can participate?

People with different chronic health problems are welcome to attend.  Workshops are facilitated by two trained leaders, one or both have a chronic condition themselves.  Family members are also welcome to attend.

An example of topics covered in the class are:

1) Managing frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation

2) Safe, easy exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and  endurance

3) Appropriate use of medications

Living Well with Chronic Condition class schedule and cost:

Sept. 8 to Oct. 13, 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Sunriver

Sept. 17 to Oct. 22, 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Deschutes County Services Center

Sept. 30 to Nov. 4, 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., St. Charles Medical Center, Bend

Oct. 7 to Nov.11, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Sisters

Oct. 8 to Nov.12, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Bend Senior Center

Oct. 9 to Nov. 13, 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., St. Charles Medical Center

One series of classes and the book costs each participant a total of $10.

Living Well classes are sponsored by the Deschutes County Health Department, its community partners of local health and human service providers in partnership with the Oregon Department of Human Services.

To receive Living Well class information or to register for classes, please call 322-7430 or visit the Deschutes County Health Department website at www.deschutes.org/livingwell .